Gretchen Q.
Yelp
Our 6:30 p.m. group of seven was kept waiting on the sidewalk for nearly half an hour despite earlier telephone assurance that a reservation was not needed because we would be seated upon arrival.
Once inside we threaded our way through closely spaced tables. This density of diners and the absence of sound deadening of any kind created a din that made even cross-table conversation virtually impossible! "alone together"
Our server was prompt in providing menus, explaining unfamiliar items, taking orders, tracking special requests and bringing our food, all in good spirits.
Almost everyone at our table ordered something different, and all seemed pleased. My lamb shank was large, meaty, well-browned and fork-tender, bedded in saffron basmati rice with a pile of mixed salad. The other plates I saw seemed similarly well-filled. In my experience, salad is not a strong suit of Middle Eastern restaurants, and unfortunately, Blu Olive's was not an exception.
I ordered my first dooga beverage, expecting it to be similar to a lassi, which it was, except that it was salty rather than sweet and tasted of mint, just the thing, I imagined, for coming indoors after a day of hot, sweaty desert travel.
It was a good, solid meal, well-served, but from this experience, I would aim for an off-prime hour, especially if I wanted conversation.
I wish there were a 3 1/2 star rating. It's not so "average" as a 3 would suggest, but doesn't rate a 4 for quite a few reasons. So, I'll go with the 3.
